Episode 10 – “Kanna’s Summer Break (Broadcast in Two Languages!?)”
Hmm.
Dragon Maid S explored the theme of “home” this week. Featuring Kanna as the vehicle for this topic was a winner of an idea too. Our attachments and memories of home life form during childhood, which powers the nostalgic feelings we associate with them. The episode tied two familiar narrative devices together. The first one, protagonists going on a journey to appreciate their homes, connects to the story of children running away from home after fighting with a parent. That’s a lot of emotion to build up and release for a satisfying resolution.
Dragon Maid also used mirroring, with guest star Chloe having a similar experience of running away. They arrived in New York through the power of different monsters, though. Kanna, the dragon, flew straight to a bright and sunny spot while a mafia gang kidnapped Chloe and brought her to their headquarters. Both children realized that home is where their loved ones are. And both Chloe and Kanna needed to reconcile with their families.
The lazy day part of Dragon Maid showed how a home changes when looking through different eyes. Kobayashi doesn’t spend much time walking around her hometown, so she never knew about the various pictures on manhole covers. She also didn’t know that her city had a new mascot that recently became popular with children.
The healing anime portion of the Dragon Maid episode centered on Kanna realizing how everyone has a home. Even a little ladybug has a place it needs to return to. The best feeling in the world is coming home to a warm welcome, so it’s best to help people do that. Even little ladybugs caught in a rainstorm.
Heh.
Kanna’s flying! Aw. She ran away! She had a fight with Kobayashi and took off. The quiet Kanna has trouble raising her voice. Dragons can go further than an elementary school student. Kanna still needs to mind her tail. Instead of moping at the local park, Kanna flew to New York City! Oh! Small dragon in the big city for Dragon Maid.
Kanna visits Times Square. Wait one second... I won’t spoil it. There’s a joke building here. Ah. How will Kanna handle money and the language barrier? Hot dog guy has a squirrely Aussie accent. The other American voices have terrible Japanese accents. Dragons are amazing! Kanna learned English! Too bad we can’t hear what her terrible American accent would sound like. I’m mildly curious to see how the dubbed Dragon Maid episode handles this episode, but not that curious. The language situation sorted itself, but the yen problem didn’t.
Kanna found the back streets of Manhattan quickly. Ooh. Adventure! Time to help a girl who has tough guys chasing her. Ha! Kanna used Tohru’s pinky poking moves from the fourth episode of Dragon Maid. Whoa. This blonde girl, Chloe, realized she was in New York! She’s a kidnapping victim of the mafia! Rich girl problems when Papa goes against the Mob. Enough talk. Playtime! Nope. Before that, hot dog time! No credit cards... Chloe still had enough cash. Kanna thinks Chloe resembles Riko. Perfect impression of Riko!
Tourist time in Manhattan. Central Park. That Dragon Maid inside joke continues to build... Kanna can shred! Aw. Kanna got homesick when she saw a lady who looked like Kobayashi from behind. Chloe and Kanna enjoyed themselves, but it was time to go home. Kanna needs to apologize too. Chloe as well? Kanna is scared that Kobayashi will still be mad at her, but she’s more scared of not having a home to return to. Oh! Adventure continues! Those mafia guys kidnapped Chloe again! Too bad for them. Kanna got serious! KyoAni is showing off again. This time with sound editing.
We knew these were villains but wanting to break a child’s arm was more than enough confirmation. Nice. Dragon Maid became a monster movie. The power fluctuates, random things happen, and there’s a gigantic monster eye at the door. Such a beautiful eye. Full power Kanna Kamui! Poor Chloe. She doesn’t taste good! Riko should be jealous. Chloe made a dragon friend in less than a day. Off to Minnesota. It’s past the big lake... The background music is in fun, whimsical dragon mode.
Kanna came back home. Tohru scolded her. Kanna made up with Kobayashi. Aw. Aha! Here’s the big joke! Tohru was in the background of all the New York scenes, watching over Kanna! Kanna says, “oh!”
Part two for Dragon Maid gives us a lazy day summer vacation day for Kanna and Kobayashi. So rare! KyoAni shows off with cold tea pouring into a drinking glass. Kanna is a diligent child: she’s doing her summer homework! Gasp! I gasped over spilled tea on a workbook... Gang members threatened a young child with breaking her arm just minutes ago, but I am worried more about wet homework. Kanna goes for the hairdryer. She plugged it into her tail! Kobayashi has more experience here. Fun! Chloe wrote Kanna a letter!
Slice-of-life mode activate! Dragon Maid gives us Kanna and Kobayashi wandering around town. I’m glad Kanna isn’t eating everything she picks up anymore. Kanna wants to study manhole covers. Japanese manhole cover art is a thing, you know. CafĆ© Xanadu arrives just in time for Kobayashi. Look at the difference between childish and adult flavors for shaved ice. Same brain freeze, though. Kobayashi learned about a new city mascot. There’s always something new about one’s home.
Sudden rain means it’s time for introspection and healing anime philosophy in Dragon Maid. Kanna likes heavy rain since her namesake’s an Ainu storm god. Here we go. Even ladybugs have a home they want to return to. Kanna learned a greater appreciation for her home with Kobayashi after she ran away. An American aphorism aptly describes her feeling: "Home is where the heart is."
Next time, Tohru’s father, the Emperor of Demise, Damocles himself, visits... Kobayashi’s office? Will we learn where the sword that Kobayashi pulled out of Tohru came from? And what happened to that thing afterward? Kanna takes her second turn in the horoscope end cards as Virgo. Maji Yabai!
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